Cybercrime Shocker: CCTV Videos from Maternity Ward Sold Online in India!

Mon Nov 17 2025 12:28:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a shocking incident, CCTV footage from a maternity hospital in India has been hacked and sold on Telegram. This raises alarming concerns about privacy and security as cybercrime becomes increasingly prevalent.

Police in Gujarat have identified a major cybercrime operation where hackers accessed and sold sensitive CCTV footage from maternity wards, schools, and private homes on platforms like Telegram. Amid widespread CCTV usage in India, experts warn of inadequate security measures. Despite authorities’ efforts to bolster cybersecurity, incidents like this highlight systemic vulnerabilities and privacy concerns, particularly affecting female patients who fear stigmatization.

Hacked CCTV videos from a maternity hospital in India have been sold on Telegram, police say, raising serious questions about privacy and security in a country where such cameras have become commonplace.

Earlier this year, police in Gujarat state were alerted by the media to videos on YouTube - some showed pregnant women undergoing medical exams and receiving injections in their buttocks - in a maternity hospital in a city.

The videos had a link directing viewers to Telegram channels to buy longer videos.

The director of the hospital told the BBC that the cameras had been installed for the safety of doctors. The BBC is not naming the city or hospital to protect the identity of the women in the videos. None of them have filed a police complaint.

Police say their investigation uncovered a massive cybercrime racket where sensitive footage from at least 50,000 CCTVs was stolen by hackers and sold on the internet.

CCTVs have become ubiquitous in India, especially in urban areas. They are installed in malls, offices, hospitals, schools, private apartment complexes and even inside people's homes.

Experts warn that while CCTV boosts security, poorly installed or managed systems can threaten privacy. In India, cameras are often handled by staff without cybersecurity training, and some domestically manufactured models are reportedly easily exploitable.

In Gujarat, police said they discovered a network of individuals spread across the country who were hacking into video surveillance systems of hospitals, schools, colleges, corporate offices, and even private bedrooms.

Police have registered a case under various sections of the law, including violating privacy, publishing obscene material, voyeurism, and cyber terrorism. Since February, eight arrests have been made, and police are reaching out to platforms to take down the illicit videos.

CCTV cybersecurity remains a significant concern, with many devices using weak default passwords, making them easy targets for hackers. Cybercrime investigators highlight the need for individuals and organizations to secure surveillance systems and replace default settings with robust passwords.

As privacy violations continue to rise, experts stress the importance of better protection for sensitive spaces, particularly when it comes to the rights and dignity of women.